But the vast majority of these appointments were to non-executive roles. There are only 25 women in executive roles in FTSE 100 companies, amounting to 9.5 per cent, and 27 in the FTSE 250, making up just five per cent.

Kate Grussing, head of Sapphire, said: “Hitting the target of 25 per cent is good news but... the lack of momentum of women gaining executive roles remains a challenge.”